Money: Use and misuse to which it can be put

Money is defined as a current means of exchange in the form of coins and banknotes. Stretched, it can be used to buy just anything under the sun – food, drinks, clothing, cars, boats, yachts, jets, jewellery, properties, fame and power.

With the last two, that is fame and power, money has proven over time that it is the greatest catalyst to the making or undoing of many who have tons and tons of it in their vaults.

You are elevated to dizzying heights when you have a lot of dough in your pocket and makes you a much sought after customer by the banks and investors.

Of course, in this clime, you instantly become a favourite of musicians, courtiers, toughies and women, who really have no genuine likeness or love for you but the money in your pocket and in your vaults. Otherwise, how come a ravishingly pretty lady falling head over heel for an ugly near pygmy of a man, if not for his money?

Yes, I’m there. Money they say is the root of all evils. Possession of money, too much money, is the bane of otherwise decent and likeable men and women; the reason why most moneyed people are cocky, arrogant, disdainful of others and disrespectful, if not mannerless, to boot.

For them, it is a fad to become bedmates of their friends’ wives or husbands; just as it is commonplace for them to call elders, old enough to be their fathers and uncles in ways suggesting that they are peers. Or, moneyed people who betray trust and benefactors, without batting an eyelid or because they foolishly believe money is enough sanctuary for them to hide in. You find many of such people making donations to religious houses, not for elevating reasons, but also to flaunt their wealth acquired through dubious and criminal means; as well as think that their sins are covered or forgiven by such donations.

But the Most High is not mocked. Which is why Jesus during his missionary journey looked around and said to his disciples: “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

Mark 10: 23-27 tells: “The disciples were amazed at Jesus words. But he said again: “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God”

The analogy of a camel going through a needle’s eye is to emphasis the point that the rich, with most of their needs met, often become self-reliant. “When they feel empty, they can buy something new to dull their pain (or, hurt) that was meant to drive them toward God. Their abundance and self-sufficiency become their deficiency”

It also becomes their albatross as they wobble and fumble from one fundamental blunder to another. Which is why I ask my God to endow me with all resources that will not make me lose my humanity, my humility and my fear of Him.